Rescue plan 'would see Jessops cameras sold in HMV stores'

The investment firm which has taken control of stricken music chain HMV is reported to be in discussions about buying the Jessops name.PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), administrators for the Leicester-based camera chain, which collapsed earlier this month, have confirmed a number of parties are interested in acquiring the Jessops brandToday trade magazine Retail Week reported that turnaround specialist Hilco, which acquired HMV's £120 million debt for £40 million on Tuesday, was the front-runner of all the interested parties and claimed it was "hatching plans" to sell cameras under the Jessops brand in HMV stores.Jessops, which employed 150 people at its head office in Braunstone Frith, Leicester, closed all its 187 stores on January 9, with the loss of around 1,500 jobs, after 78 years in business.It had stores in Gallowtree Gate, Leicester and Cattle Market, Loughborough, which employed 27 people in Leicestershire.Less than a week later HMV went into administration, putting at risk more than 4,000 UK jobs, including dozens in the county.Shoppers reacted angrily after being told by the entertainment chain, which continues to trade, that gift vouchers were no longer being accepted.However, HMV's administrators, Deloitte, performed a U-turn and announced £7 million of vouchers would be expected following the backlash.Both Jessops and HMV have blamed online competition and changing customers habits for their demise.Rob Hunt, Jessops joint administrator and PwC partner confirmed there were a number of people interested in the Jessops brand but said it would not disclose individual parties as this was "confidential information".